The BJP on Saturday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of being on a trip to Dubai with a hidden agenda, but the Aam Aadmi Party said he was out of the city to attend a family function of a college batchmate of his.
On Friday evening, when contacted by The Hindu , the Chief Minister’s Office had first denied that he was out of town.
After suspended AAP MLA Kapil Mishra tweeted at 8.30 p.m. that Mr. Kejriwal and his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, were in Dubai, a spokesperson in the CMO said they were not aware of any trip and that there was no official trip scheduled this week.
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On Saturday evening, however, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said the Chief Minister was “out” of Delhi “for a day to attend a family function of his friend, an IIT batchmate”.
Permission taken
Delhi government sources said, Mr. Kejriwal had flown out on Thursday night and was expected back on Sunday.
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He had taken permission from Raj Niwas as well as the Union Ministry of External Affairs for the trip to Dubai, sources said.
The BJP, however, said a “conspiracy” was being hatched in Dubai and that four senior members of the Cabinet, including Mr. Kejriwal, were away as the Capital struggled to cope with air pollution.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain were also away this week — a charge vehemently denied by a Delhi government spokesperson.
“Last week, Mr. Jain had gone to Dubai. The contractor for the Delhi government’s Doorstep Delivery scheme also stays in Dubai. The Chief Minister’s visit to Dubai without informing anyone within 10 days reeks of a conspiracy,” Mr. Gupta said, questioning whether the said contractor was “hosting” Mr. Kejriwal.
Issues facing city
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari argued that it had become “difficult for the people to breathe in Delhi”, but Mr. Kejriwal was on a tour of Dubai with family members.
“Is it right Chief Minister Kejriwal? (A) Signature Deal is going on to make the black money white in the name of donations. The people of Delhi will not forgive you (sic.)” Mr. Tiwari tweeted.
Without any information, Mr. Gupta alleged, Mr. Kejriwal “suddenly left for Dubai on November 8 by Air India flight No AI 995 and will be back on November 11”.
“His visit to Dubai is neither being admitted nor denied...What is the purpose of this Dubai visit, what is the agenda, where will he be staying and whom he will meet? Why is all this information being hidden?...Delhi Dy. CM Manish Sisodia is already away to Chhattisgarh. Who is looking after the charge of CM of Delhi?...Who is meeting the expenses of his Dubai visit?” Mr. Gupta asked.